FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS.
Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." (John 3: 13 - 17).
Sunday September 14, 2025 in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time is the Great Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
Why celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross?
#1 There is a divine necessity for the Son of Man to be lifted up on the Cross in order to save mankind.
#2 The crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus transformed the Cross into a true sign of salvation. The Cross transformed our trials into possibilities of triumphs and testimonies. This is the Full Truth of the Gospel.
#3 "Christ crucified is thus "the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."?
It is in Christ's Resurrection and exaltation that the Father has shown forth "the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe" (CCC 272)
#4. "It is suffering, more than anything else, which clears the way for the grace which transforms human souls. Suffering, more than anything else, makes present in the history of humanity the powers of the Redemption." (Pope St John Paul II, ON the Christian Meaning of Suffering - Salvifici Doloris #27).
#5. We exalt the cross whenever we embrace
our trials and tribulations and understand that God's holy will is the means of peace and joy in our lives.
The Cross has become a synonym for the trials of life. Jesus says: "If you want to follow Me, pick up your own cross and follow Me." Hence we find plastic cross, gold cross, silver cross, wooden cross, etc. We find crosses in homes, cars, schools, hospitals, churches, cemeteries.
We find crosses in every country in the world. The ubiquitous presence of the Cross everywhere is significant and providential. It signifies that grace and mercy are everywhere we accept trials and situations we can not avoid.
We are baptized with the sign of the Cross: In the Name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. This reminds us of the Trinitarian character of our faith.
As the catechumens are reminded in the RCIA Rite of Acceptance, embracing our cross is embracing the will of God. It is the most assured route to sanctity and the good life. The will of God is our shalom, our peace. Peace is the first and greatest gift of the Resurrection.
"Father, in Your will is our peace."
Man has always rejected the Cross as we see in the first Reading (Numbers 21: 4 - 9).
"With their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!” (Numbers 21: 4 - 5).
If like Jesus, we humble ourselves under the mighty hands of God and accept our crosses, in the fullness of time, God will lift us up. (Cf 1 Peter 5: 6).
Jesus came to undo the disobedience of Adam and Eve by embracing the prescribed means of salvation by the Father.
"When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself, says the Lord." (John 12: 32)
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross you have redeemed the world.
September is the month we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. It is also the month the Church honors the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Mary embraced her 7 Crosses (Sorrows). May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Crucified Son Jesus.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
JESUS TREATED ME MERCIFULLY.
"Beloved: This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost. But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life. To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."
Saturday 13th September 2025 in the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.
St John Chrysostom was the
Archbishop of Constantinople and Doctor of the Church. He lived between 349 and 407. He was Syrian by nationality.
As the Archbishop of Constantinople, John Chrysostom could have chosen a quiet, comfortable and non controversial life. Not Chrysostom, a great admirer of St Paul the Apostle.
He worked very hard for the cause of the poor and the marginalized people in his See. This brought him into collision with the Empress who sent John in exile.
Bishop Chrysostom is known for his spirit of poverty and patience. His patience was shown in great suffering in the course of his life. He left us an example of invincible courage and patience. He died on his way to his last exile. We continue to enjoy today the vast writings he left behind.
Below is what St John Chrysostom wrote on the Eucharist:
"O miracle! O goodness of God! He that sits above with the Father…gives himself to all who desire to embrace and receive him. At that moment all do this with the eyes of faith."
St John Chrysostom is the patron saint of preachers.
St John Chrysostom pray for us.
We choose the intimate biographical note from the Apostle Paul for a brief reflection.
What does 1 Timothy 1: 15 - 17 say to you?
Some of us are chosen, called, anointed and justified by Jesus Christ so that the world will see in us that Jesus is truly the King of Mercy.
Jesus came to call sinners and not the righteous.
Let us give him loud praise and thanks forever and ever!
"Many priests do not have a real and practical faith in My Eucharistic presence. Do they not know that the Eucharist encloses within itself all the merits of My Passion? Let them recover the faith of their childhood. Let them come to find Me there where I am waiting for them and I, for My part, shall work miracles of grace and holiness in them." (IN SINU JESU Monday, October 29, 2007).
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.
.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY.
"Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?
"No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.
"Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
“How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.” (Luke 6: 39 - 42).
Friday 12th September 2025 in the 23rd Week of Ordinary Time is the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary.
Almost back to back on the celebration of the Birthday of Mary (September 8th) is the feast of her Most Holy Name of Mary, September 12.
The Church in her teaching authority interpretes for us the role of Mary in the economy of salvation.
Here is what the Church teaches about the feast of today, the Most Holy Name of Mary:
"God the Father is glorified by the exalted role in salvation of the Blessed Virgin Mary."
Thus her name is a name of honor, to be venerated and called upon with filial trust and devotion." (Roman Missal).
The Blessed Pope Innocent XI placed the feast in the liturgical calendar in thanksgiving for the victory of Christians over Moslems on September 12, 1683.
Who did Jesus call the blind in today's Gospel?
"Let them alone; they are blind guides (of the blind). If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15: 14).
Do you know any Pharisees in your community?
"I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6: 6).
When a blind judge guides another blind judge, will not the two judges fall into the ditch?
Jesus defines His mission thus:
"I was born and came into the world for this one purpose, to speak about the truth. Whoever belongs to the truth listens to me." (John 18: 37).
We all have tendencies to pharasaical attitude of being overbearing in our scrutiny and criticism of other people. Use the Sacrament of Reconciliation to erode the inclination to criticism, complaining and condemnation of our neighbors. No criticism. No complaints. No condemn. Say: NO CCC when tempted to say or think of anything negative of another person.
"Many priests do not have a real and practical faith in My Eucharistic presence. Do they not know that the Eucharist encloses within itself all the merits of My Passion? Let them recover the faith of their childhood. Let them come to find Me there where I am waiting for them and I, for My part, shall work miracles of grace and holiness in them." (IN SINU JESU Monday, October 29, 2007).
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
BE MERCIFUL!
BE MERCIFUL!
THE GOODNEWS:
"Jesus said to his disciples:
“To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well,
and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Luke 6: 27 - 38).
Our Daily Bible Verse for this Thursday in the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time is from the Gospel of Luke 6: 27 - 38.
How can we be merciful as the Father is merciful?
What is mercy? The dictionary defines mercy as: "compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm."
In other words, mercy is a gratuitous forgiveness of an offense where the offender is rightly waiting the hammer to strike.
God's mercy is called Hesed /Chesed in the Bible. Completely unmerited favor flowing from the powerful and merciful Providence of God.
One of the greatest example of mercy is in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.
The servant owes his master millions of dollars which he could never repay.
His master would sell his entire family and all his possessions, put him into slave work for the rest of his life to recover a tiny portion of his debt.
Then the miracle happened. He was forgiven everything by his master. The servant did not forgive his fellow servant who owed him a tiny amount.
"You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’" (Matthew 18: 32 - 33).
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6: 36). Jesus teaches us that the merciful Heart of God is unfathomable. Like a bottomless ocean.
There are many examples of this in the Old Testament. Covenant after Covenant was shredded by His ungrateful People. Yet when they suffer the consequences of their sins, one cry to God and He is at their side, forgiving them all and ready to start all over again.
Divine Mercy Devotion is Jesus' gift to the Church to help us to be merciful in three easy steps.
Jesus revealed His intention to St Maria Faustina. He desires that no man should be ignorant of the infinite mercy of God.
The heart of the Devotion is as simple as ABC and is summarized by the ABC of Mercy:
A: Ask for Mercy.
B: Be Merciful.
C: Completely trust Jesus for Mercy.
The ABC of Mercy is how we can be merciful as our Father is merciful.
"Above all, I renew for you the words I uttered for Saint John from the Cross: “Behold your Mother.” Live in her presence. Honour her at every occasion and in every way possible. Every time you show love and devotion to My most holy Mother, you honour the words I spoke from the Cross, and you put them into practice. “Behold your Mother.” She desires nothing more than to look after you, just as if you were her only son. Her attention for you is not divided, nor is it in any way impaired by the attention she gives to the vast multitude of her children through the ages. Trust in her care for you. Pray her Rosary. Honour her as you have been doing." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, January 31, 2008).
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
HAPPY ARE YOU WHO ARE POOR.
"Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.
“Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.
"But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.” Luke 6: 20 - 26)."
Wednesday September 10th 2025 in the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time.
"WHAT KIND OF POVERTY, THEN, IS BLESSED? THE KIND THAT IS NOT IN LOVE WITH EARTHLY THINGS AND DOES NOT SEEK WORLDLY RICHES: THE KIND THAT LONGS TO BE FILLED WITH THE BLESSINGS OF HEAVEN." (POPE ST LEO THE GREAT).
In Luke's Beatitudes (Sermon on the Plain), Jesus promises the kingdom of God to those who are poor, not necessarily those deprived of material goods and comforts but those whose treasure is in heaven.
These are the holy ones who have heard the message of the kingdom of God, of eternal life that is ushered in by the ministry of Jesus Christ and seeks it as first priority.
These Christians start right here on earth and right now to enjoy the eternal life that is the kingdom of God.
But those whose hearts are in their wealth receive their compensation here on earth for 50, 70, 90 or at most 100 years.
And here on earth, they must defend their wealth from taxes, robbers, rust, inflation, etc.
They will be weary defending their excess riches. Jesus promises a better way in the Beatitudes:
“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are you who are poor [in spirit, those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for the kingdom of God is yours [both now and forever]. (Luke 6: 20 AMP).
Seek the "Better Part".
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
FEAST OF THE GLORIOUS NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
"Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
"Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.
"Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.” (Matthew 1: 18 - 23)."
Monday September 8th, 2025 is the
Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Universal Church celebrates the Feast of the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary today with great joy.
Mary was chosen, called, prepared and enabled to be the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Cf Romans 8: 30).
Mary said Yes immediately to the Archangel Gabriel. She did not say: "Let me ask my husband about this. I will also like to talk to my mother." It was this openness to grace that made Mary: "Blessed among women." (Cf Luke 1: 45).
And every generation continues to call her blessed. (Cf Luke 1: 48)
According to Matthew the Evangelist, Jesus Christ descended directly from Abraham:
"The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob........... (Matthew 1: 1 - 2).
After the birth of Jesus, the line of genealogy comes abruptly to an end.
"Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah." (Matthew 1: 15 - 16).
A new genealogy begins from Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary.
This genealogy includes you and me as royal sons and royal daughters.
"Let us celebrate with joy the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
for from her arose the sun of justice, Christ our God." (Entrance Antiphon, Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary).
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. But today September 8th, the Universal Church celebrates the Birthday of our most sweet and beautiful Mother.
The Church hails Jesus Christ as Son of God and Son of Mary.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
below:
